Regional conflict has left hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Healthcare workers face overcrowding in refugee camps and a shortage of medical supplies in the midst of the second outbreak of mpox in three years. These conditions leave many of the most vulnerable people at risk of infection and serious illness. To date, over 500 people have died of the disease.
The WHO has declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after mpox patients were identified in several other countries. The Africa CDC is working with impacted countries and manufacturers to distribute vaccinations and diagnostic tools, but vaccine inequality and supply chain issues are major hurdles to treatment.
In many circumstances, mpox is treatable, and most symptoms subside within 2 to 4 weeks. Misinformation and stigma around the disease complicate efforts to educate at-risk communities and treat the disease. Raising awareness about prevention and treatment options are essential to slowing the spread of the virus.Â
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“Hesperian just updated our two-page English-language resource for communities navigating the latest mpox outbreak.” The printable guide is designed to educate and assist individuals with the disease, along with their families and caregivers to understand the transmission, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of mpox. Â
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